Reasons to leave your house: Spooky cemetery tours, eccentric music, Frankie Moreno and more
Here are our picks for upcoming events and happenings worth splurging time and money on (though some events are free):
Twilight cemetery tours and lecture
The word “Twilight” during the Halloween season might conjure images of perfectly coiffed vampires and shirtless werewolves. To those at St. Luke’s Historic Church and Museum in Smithfield — breathing or otherwise — twilight is the perfect time for a bewitching tour of its 17th-century grounds, where the tombstones tell spellbinding tales. (There are adult-only and family-friendly tours.)
Historian Carson Hudson will also lecture on witchcraft in Colonial Virginia. Hudson has made a career of dispelling misconceptions and explores the wrongful demonization and persecution of women accused of sorcery, such as Grace Sherwood (the Witch of Pungo) of Virginia Beach.
Twilight tours: Family-friendly 6 p.m. Friday. $15. Adult only (21 and older) 8, 9 and 10 p.m. $25. (Hard cider is included with the ticket; snacks are provided for both tours.)
Hudson’s lecture on witchcraft: 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday. $15.
St. Luke’s Church and Museum, 14477 Benns Church Blvd. Smithfield. stlukesmuseum.org. 757-357-3367.
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‘Excerpts from Gene Clout’s Musical Journey’
In the return of its popular Artist Masterpiece series, the Virginia African American Cultural Center in Virginia Beach welcomes genre-bending musician Gene Clout for a virtual exploration of his repertoire. A classically trained vocalist, he’s known to wow audiences with his mastery of seemingly conflicting genres, taking inspiration from opera and contemporary. Calling himself a “psalmist, clairvoyant, artist and spiritual advisor,” Clout thrives in allowing his eccentricities to filter through his art.
7 p.m. Oct. 27. Virtual; registration is required. vaaccvb.org.
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‘Vegas Nights with Frankie Moreno’
As the weather cools down, Las Vegas’ Frankie Moreno brings his summery vibes to Hampton Roads for one night only. A musical prodigy, at age 10 he impressed audiences with his singing and piano-playing skills on “Star Search.” It foreshadowed his expansive career as a performer and advocate for musical education for young students. His sound is hard to pin down but lovers of country, classical, and rock ‘n’ roll will have no problem finding a Frankie tune to sing to.
8 p.m. Saturday. The American Theatre, 125 E. Mellen St., Hampton. Tickets start at $35. hamptonarts.org.
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Hampton Horror Tour
Ushering out the macabre month of October, Hampton Horror Tours is promising an experience equally fun and phantasmagorical with its returning ghost walk. Depart from the Hampton History Museum and step back in time as you wind through graveyards and other dark landmarks along the streets of downtown. Learn of Edgar Allan Poe’s brief stint at Fort Monroe in 1828 and the restless ghouls of fellow soldiers who may have served as inspiration (if you can handle it).
6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Oct. 30. Tickets start at $14 for adults; discounts for children, though the event is not recommended for children younger than 8. 120 Old Hampton Lane. hamptonhistorymuseum.org.
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More fun
Virginia Stage Company and the Governor’s School for the Arts present “The Hobbit.” 7:30 tonight through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Wells Theatre, 108 E. Tazewell St., Norfolk. Tickets start at $25. To purchase online, visit vastage.org. Through Nov. 6.
Mary J. Blige brings her “Good Morning Gorgeous” tour to Hampton. Opening the 8 p.m. Saturday show will be Ella Mai and Queen Naija. Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Drive. Tickets start at $69.50. To purchase online, visit ticketmaster.com. For details, visit hamptoncoliseum.org.
The Boardwalk Art Show, presented by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. In the show’s 66th year, it’s featuring more than 150 juried artists. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, between 24th and 31st streets on the Boardwalk at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. For details, visit virginiamoca.org/boardwalk-art-show.
Blue Man Group brings its original music, custom-made instruments and surprise audience interaction to Ferguson Center. Two shows: 1 and 6:30 p.m. today at Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News. Tickets start at $51.50. To purchase online, visit fergusoncenter.org.
All Elite Wrestling presents Dynamite featuring Halifax, Virginia, native Stephen Blake Woltz (known in the ring as Hangman Adam Page) and others. 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at Chartway Arena, 4320 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk. Tickets start at $33. To purchase online, visit chartwayarena.com.
Grammy-nominated metal band Hatebreed brings its 20 years of “Perseverance” tour to the Beach. Opening the 7 p.m. Oct. 27 show will be Gatecreeper, Bodysnatcher, Dying Wish, at Elevation 27, 600 Nevan Road, Virginia Beach. Tickets start at $30. To purchase online, visit ticketmaster.com. For details, visit elevation27.com.
Events may change. Check before attending.
